RELATED:A View From Israel: Lieberman’s rebukeLieberman: PA's rejection of Jewish State impedes peaceNetanyahu said there was “no doubt that such a move by the Palestinian Authority would serve as a trust-building step, one that would open up a new horizon of hope and trust among broad sections of the Israeli public who, in light of the events of the past decade, have lost their confidence in the Palestinians’ desire to end the conflict.”Lieberman, who has said in recent weeks that it will take generations to reach peace, said Thursday that the Israeli people wanted peace and that Netanyahu was prepared to restart talks without any preconditions.Lieberman’s trip to Germany and Slovakia came just a few days after he told French and Spanish foreign ministers Bernard Kouchner and Miguel Moratinos that the EU should solve its own problems before presuming to take on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.There was no indication that Lieberman repeated these comments, which reportedly raised the ire of the French and Spanish foreign ministers, during his conversation with Westerwelle.Israeli diplomatic officials noted that despite Lieberman’s recent string of controversial comments – including his address to the UN in which he broke ranks with government policy and advocated the exchange of populated territories – he continued to be invited to foreign capitals, and foreign statesmen continued to want to meet him on their trips to Jerusalem.During his meeting with Westerwelle, Lieberman announced that the Foreign Ministry would open a consulate in Munich next year. He will meet with top Slovakian officials on Friday, and return to Israel Sunday.
Lieberman: Time for Palestinians to show goodwill
Such a move "would serve as a trust-building step," says Netanyahu; while on European tour, FM says Israel has made many gestures to PA.
RELATED:A View From Israel: Lieberman’s rebukeLieberman: PA's rejection of Jewish State impedes peaceNetanyahu said there was “no doubt that such a move by the Palestinian Authority would serve as a trust-building step, one that would open up a new horizon of hope and trust among broad sections of the Israeli public who, in light of the events of the past decade, have lost their confidence in the Palestinians’ desire to end the conflict.”Lieberman, who has said in recent weeks that it will take generations to reach peace, said Thursday that the Israeli people wanted peace and that Netanyahu was prepared to restart talks without any preconditions.Lieberman’s trip to Germany and Slovakia came just a few days after he told French and Spanish foreign ministers Bernard Kouchner and Miguel Moratinos that the EU should solve its own problems before presuming to take on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.There was no indication that Lieberman repeated these comments, which reportedly raised the ire of the French and Spanish foreign ministers, during his conversation with Westerwelle.Israeli diplomatic officials noted that despite Lieberman’s recent string of controversial comments – including his address to the UN in which he broke ranks with government policy and advocated the exchange of populated territories – he continued to be invited to foreign capitals, and foreign statesmen continued to want to meet him on their trips to Jerusalem.During his meeting with Westerwelle, Lieberman announced that the Foreign Ministry would open a consulate in Munich next year. He will meet with top Slovakian officials on Friday, and return to Israel Sunday.